Whta r mold health risks for kids and immediate steps?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and their allergies are going crazy. I finally pulled out their toy chest from the corner of their bedroom in our Jumeirah villa and found a huge patch of black mold growing on the wall behind it, probably from a slow AC leak. I’m panicking about their health after they’ve been sleeping in here every night. What are the specific health risks for young children and what are the immediate steps I should take?
Posted by Susan Williams
Asked on May 20, 2026 10:31 pm
Black mold exposure in children commonly causes persistent respiratory symptoms like the coughing and allergy exacerbation you're seeing. For young children, whose immune systems are still developing, the primary risks are chronic allergic reactions, sinus infections, and worsened asthma. The constant exposure from sleeping in the room is a significant concern.

Your immediate step is to isolate the area. Move the children to a different bedroom and keep the door to the moldy room closed. Do not attempt to scrub the mold yourself, as this can release a massive amount of spores into the air. For a patch this size and given the health symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess the extent behind the wall and identify the moisture source—likely a condensate drain leak from the AC, which is extremely common in Dubai's climate.

The AC unit itself must be inspected. Mold in the room often means mold in the AC system, which then aerosolizes spores throughout the space. A qualified technician should check the evaporator coils, drip pan, and ductwork for biological growth. Focus on fixing the water leak first; without solving the moisture issue, mold will return.

For health concerns, consulting a pediatrician is recommended, informing them of the mold exposure. Proper remediation for a case like this involves containment, HEPA-filtered air scrubbing, and removal of contaminated porous materials like drywall. The goal is to identify the species and remove the colony entirely, not just surface-clean it.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 21, 2026 4:50 pm